406 



POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



Aquarium. As we approach, before passing into the dim light of the 

 Aquarium, it is well to linger for a moment in the park, and gaze 

 upon the wonderful scene spread out before our eyes — the commodious- 

 harbor, alive with the craft of all nations, the hills of Staten Island 

 and the Narrows beyond. 



Its circular fort form is admirably adapted to its present use, as 

 the plans and illustrations show, and but few changes were necessary 

 to make it available. Upon entering, the visitor's attention is attracted 

 to the seven great pools on the floor. A second glance reveals the 

 wall tanks, arranged in two tiers. These have glass fronts, and, at a 



Fig. 1. The New York Aquarium. 



distance, look like beautiful pictures in great frames. They are lighted 

 from behind and above, and the spaces immediately in front of the 

 main and gallery tiers are thrown into deep shade by the gallery floor 

 and the ceiling. The light coming through the tanks being the only 

 source of illumination, the colors and markings of the fishes are 

 brilliantly displayed to the spectator, who might easily imagine him- 

 self wandering in some submarine gallery. 



In the great central pool there is, ordinarily, a collection of sharks 

 and the common fishes of the coast, but when a whale or other large 

 specimen is secured it occupies this place of honor. The three pools 



